Astros vs. Guardians Prediction, Betting Tips & Picks 5/23/2022

The Cleveland Guardians (17-20) will look to Josh Naylor, with homers in three straight games, to pull off an upset win over the Houston Astros (27-15) Monday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros are -201 moneyline favorites for the game, which starts at 8:10 PM ET. Luis Garcia will get the ball for Houston while Cleveland counter with Zach Plesac.

Astros vs. Guardians Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Guardians

Our computer pick: Cleveland Guardians (+171) and Over (8.5)

Astros vs. Guardians Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Luis Garcia
• Cleveland Guardians probable starting pitcher: Zach Plesac
• Game Day: Monday, May 23, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros vs Cleveland Guardians Pitching Matchup

Astros Starter Luis Garcia

• Garcia makes the start for the Astros, his eighth of the season. He is 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings pitched.
• In his most recent outing on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, the righty threw four innings, allowing three earned runs while surrendering five hits.
• In seven games this season, the 25-year-old has put up an ERA of 3.35, with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .201 against him.
• Garcia has two quality starts under his belt this season.
• Garcia has put up five starts this season in which he pitched five or more innings.
• He will face off against a Guardians offense that ranks 21st in MLB with 308 total hits (on a .246 batting average). The team also slugs a collective .393 (12th in MLB) with 34 total home runs (21st in MLB).

Guardians Starter Zach Plesac

• Plesac (1-3) will take to the mound for the Guardians and make his eighth start of the season.
• The right-hander gave up two earned runs in six innings pitched on Tuesday in his last outing, a matchup with the Cincinnati Reds.
• The 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.42 ERA this season with 5.4 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 2.8 walks per nine across seven games.
• He has started seven games this season, earning a quality start (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER) in two of them.
• Plesac will look to pitch five or more innings for the fourth start in a row.
• The Astros rank 21st in MLB with a .231 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks fifth in the league (.412) and 57 home runs.
• Among qualified pitchers this year, the 27-year-old’s 4.42 ERA ranks 51st, 1.345 WHIP ranks 51st, and 5.4 K/9 ranks 55th.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Astros have won 23 out of the 32 games, or 71.9%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Houston is undefeated in four games this season when favored by -201 or more on the moneyline.
• The bookmakers’ moneyline implies a 66.8% chance of a victory for the Astros.
• So far this season, Houston and its opponents have hit the over in 11 of their 42 games with a total.
• The Astros are 22-20-0 ATS in their 42 games with a spread this season.

Guardians Betting Picks & Insights

• The Guardians have been underdogs in 27 games this season and have come away with the win 12 times (44.4%) in those contests.
• Cleveland has yet to win this season when listed as an underdog of +171 or worse on the moneyline this season.
• The Guardians have an implied victory probability of 36.9% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
• Cleveland’s games have gone over the total in 22 of their 41 opportunities.
• In 41 games with a line this season, the Guardians have a mark of 20-21-0 against the spread.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Yordan Alvarez has left the yard 12 times this season, the highest mark on the Astros, while hitting .256 with 24 RBI.
• Among all MLB hitters, Alvarez is 69th in batting average, 33rd in on-base percentage, and seventh in slugging.
• Alvarez carries a two-game hitting streak into this matchup. In his last five games he is batting .294 with a double, a triple, a home run, two walks and three RBI.
• Kyle Tucker has collected 26 runs batted in to lead his team.
• Tucker is 31st in homers and 16th in RBI among all MLB hitters this year.
• Alex Bregman has 10 doubles, five home runs and 26 walks while batting .229.
• Jose Altuve is batting .283 with five doubles, nine home runs and 11 walks.

Guardians Leaders & Batting Stats

• Jose Ramirez has managed a team-leading nine home runs and has driven in 37 runs.
• Ramirez is 12th in homers and first in RBI among all hitters in MLB.
• Owen Miller is batting .294 to lead the lineup.
• Among all MLB hitters, Miller ranks 80th in homers and 87th in RBI.
• Steven Kwan is batting .267 with six doubles, a triple, a home run and 17 walks.
• Myles Straw is batting .246 with eight doubles, a triple and 22 walks.

Betting Tips for Astros vs. Guardians

Our best bet is the Guardians on the moneyline at +171 after looking at all of the key trends and statistics for this matchup. Our computer projects the total score will over the total of 8.5 runs.